Ploughing is the earliest and most important farming process, and it is still widely practiced today. It involves inverting the upper soil layer and bringing nutrients to the soil surface in combination with covering weeds and old crop residues. This process is beneficial in creating an environment for seed growth or germination.
A disc plough is an important implement used in ploughing the field. From a small landholder to a commercial farmer, everyone depends on different types of disc ploughs for their agricultural work. Let’s discuss more about the types and benefits of disc ploughs as well as how best to decide on the right one for your farm.
Understanding Disc Plough
Disc ploughs are versatile tools in a particular category of plough. They have parts of the implement fixed with concave metal discs. This design enables the tool to work in a variety of soils, making it a reliable choice for farmers. Unlike mouldboard ploughs, disc ploughs dig into the soil, cutting and turning it at the same time, and are therefore better suited to plough the soil. They are especially suitable for shattering hardpan soils and slicing through residues without clogging.
Disc Harrow: How to choose the best
Now that we know about disc ploughs and their uses let’s proceed to the factors to consider when selecting disc ploughs for your farm. This investment that you will make on disc plough will help you in yielding better. There are many factors that one should consider while planning to buy a disc plough. For example, the type of disc, the size of the disc, the number of discs, the frame, the design and the type of wheel. Selecting the right disc plough may be a challenging task. However, we will help you choose the best one for your needs.
How to Select the Right Disc Plough for Your Farm
Many determining factors are necessary when selecting the appropriate disc plough; these include the size of the farm, the kind of soil that is present, and the type of crop that is to be grown. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make the right decision:
Consider Soil Type
Always begin by determining the nature of the soil on your farm. If you have compacted soil, you may need a steel-forged disc plough, such as the offset or the double action. In loamy or silt-type soils, a mounted disc plough may be enough.
Consider Your Farm Size
This is important to consider because the size of the farm greatly determines the choice of the disc plough that will be used on the farm. In the case of smaller fields, a mounted or trailed disc plough is normally sufficient. But for big fields, an offset or a double action disc plough would be more effective because they can work more acreage per time taken.
Evaluate Your Tractor’s Power
The capacity of your tractor determines the Disc plough you select at the site. For instance, an offset disc plough demands an even more powerful tractor than a mounted one does. Make sure that the tractor you are using is strong enough to pull the plough without wandering into the “red zone”.
Determine the Ploughing Depth
Volume and depth also determine your choice. The deeper you want to plough, the bigger your equipment should be. In terms of the implement to be used, a standard disc plough will be adequate for shallow ploughing operations. Nevertheless, if the soil is to be prepared in a more ‘thorough’ manner, the ‘heavy-duty’ disc plough is recommended.
Check for Adjustable Settings
Some disc ploughs are equipped with adjustable discs that give the operator a level of control.
The built-in adjustments should be considered when they require flexibility in lifting the disc plough.
Consider Durability and Maintenance
Ensure that the disc ploughs are of excellent quality and can handle intense weather conditions. Make sure that quick replacement parts are available on the market. Additionally, maintenance must be simple to keep your plough in proper working condition for a long duration.
Consider Your Budget
Last but not least, the budget greatly influences your decision to buy a disc plough. Always choose models and brands available in the market that offer the most benefits in your preferred budget.
Conclusion
Choosing the right disc plough for your farm depends on several factors, such as soil type, size of the farm, the power of the tractor to be used, and, of course, cost. After discussing the disc ploughs and their beneficial outcome, farmers can be aware of the benefits of it while investing. With the right disc plough, a farmer can get a better yield and save a lot of time than the traditional ploughing method takes.
